The dark side of reefing.

[Anonymous]

Glenn:
Any one have any suggestions as to how this problem could be addressed without getting the government involved?

Personally, I consider the idea of effective non-government enforcement (IE, by the hobby or the industry themselves) to be pretty much an impossibility.

Also does any one know exactly how the collection process works? Do they just go down and snag anything that moves or do they look for specific things?

They collect specific things. The collecting stations pay based on the specifics of what you bring them, so it's in the collectors interest to bring in animals worth more.

I was also under the impression that everything had to be identified before it was imported.

In theory. What ends up actually happening is that the industry over-reports what it's sending, so that if the identification of an item is questioned and it's re-classified, there's "room" in the appropriate category on the import papers.

Not sure if it could work in reality or how it would be relegated but it sounds nice in theory.

Yes, it does, and people have and are trying similiar things. The (now sadly closed) farms in the Solomons were a perfect example, but even in Fiji, WSI has been experimenting with farming (SPS and rock) for the past couple of years.

 

[SPC]

I think what is important to remember is that if we sit by and do nothing then the government will eventually ban all imports.
The idea of farming is still the one I believe is the most viable in the long term. We all know that we protect that which gives us some benifit. If the native people have ownership of their own reefs then they will protect them. In the mean time it may take a total ban until it is shown that the reefs can be cared for in a responsible manner.
Steve

 

[naesco]

So with the odd exception we all feel that unless something is done to stop the slaughter, the government will come in with a ban on import.
Most of us what something done.
So what can we do that is really meaningful.
Does someone know a high placed politician that a few of us could talk to?
Writing letters and going the bureacratic route will be a waste of time IMO

For our attorney reefers this question.
Does a state like California have the jurisdiction to impose a full or partial ban?
Or is this solely within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government?

To all
Is there funding available to form a group to lobby etcetera?

To the Marine Business people
Get involved with this issue now on a voluntary basis. Lets hear from you, now!

 

[esmithiii]

OK. I re-read many of the posts and I realize that no one is advocating a total ban. I got a little excited, and perhapse a bit heated.

Make no mistake that I realize that this hobby has caused damage to the world's reefs. How much damage is not clearly understood (at the very least by me, and I would suspect the same of most of us on this board.) I also repeat that this industry is not the number one problem, nor is it a close second. I understand that this does not absolve the industry of responsibility or culpability. I sometimes get the impression that fixing the industry would be re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Maybe I think this because I am ignorant.

I try to be contientous and responsible in my role as a reefkeeper. I have spoken candidly of my failures in the past, and do so freely as to learn how not to repeat mistakes. I believe that a total ban (I know no one is clamoring for one) would kill the industry. I don't think our government is capable of legislating nor enforcing a partial ban, and I am very wary of language that promotes such.

There are those who resent the way we hobbysts regard life- that is that we can confine it in a small cube of glass for our own enjoyment. There are those who would shut down this hobby because they feel it is cruel. I think a call for a partial ban would turn into a total ban. Again, maybe I think this because I am ignorant.

I apologize if I have offended. This board has helped me more than I can say, and I appreciate the advice of all those who I may disagree with but who continue to respond to my other posts.

I think healthy debate is fundamental for communication and mutual understanding, not to mention learning.

Ernie

 

[Lefty1]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by cjdevito:
<strong>

[Editing to add this: I started posting to this thread before getting "promoted", and I almost chose not to continue it after becoming an administrator simply because of it's nature. In the end I decided to continue, simply because I feel it's too important a topic to ignore. So, let me be clear. The views herein are my own, and are not indicative of reefs.org policy. You are arguing with me, personally, and not in the role of reefs.org administrator. You are free to continue to argue without fear of unwarranted administrative action coming of it, as I assure you that will not be the case.]

[ November 07, 2001: Message edited by: cjdevito ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

O my master.
Charles, please do not stop posting your ideas and feelings simply because you are now an administrator. When you post, put your above quote in your sig if you have to, but please don't stop adding to the conversation.
Your humble servant,

RR